Prinz’ Perfect Record

A A A Comments By Michael Leaverton Wednesday, Feb 10 2010

Yvonne Prinz’ The Vinyl Princess is a young adult novel set in the East Bay, primarily in a used record store on Telegraph Avenue, featuring a 16-year-old clerk whose deep love of vinyl is matched by her nearly autistic command of it. These are dangerous themes, clearly. Tackle any one of the iconic subjects – the freakshow that is Telegraph, the history of rock, vinyl, Amoeba (or Rasputin, if you swing that way) — and people will be quick to check your work, eager to dismiss you as a hack. And don’t think you can hide behind the “YA” label — you won’t be forgiven for messing up the kids. Prinz succeeds beautifully, however, and no less a rock-purist crowd than Daniel Handler, Frank Portman, Terry Zwigoff, and Colin Meloy appear on the back of the book, blurbing admiration. Prinz had to succeed, really; failure isn’t an option when you own three high-holy churches and your credibility is on the line. Which is to say: Yvonne Prinz owns Amoeba Music, all of them. (For any young adults out there, don’t worry, there’s plenty of the usual YA stuff — boys, mom, dad, boys — to keep you entertained between the crap about your parents’ music.)

More About

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

Matthew Edwards of the Music Lovers appears with Yvonne Prinz.
Thu., Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m., 2010

Check out this week's featured ad for Arts

Priceless Medical Evaluations

View Ad View Website

More Ads >>

Get the Events Newsletter

What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.